Pakistan: Information on the Zoroastrian religious sect in Karachi, including its doctrines and membership numbers
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 December 1992 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | PAK12593 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Pakistan: Information on the Zoroastrian religious sect in Karachi, including its doctrines and membership numbers, 1 December 1992, PAK12593, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac8c34.html [accessed 4 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
A professor of political science at Wake Forest University who is familiar with Pakistan, although not an expert on religious minorities, estimates that the Zoroastrian community in Pakistan has roughly 10,000 members (16 Dec. 1992). He stated further that the Zoroastrians, known as Parsis in Pakistan, are disproportionately well-to-do and hold high state offices but are held in low esteem by the Muslim majority. According to a professor at the Carnegie Endowment who specializes in Pakistan, but also is not an expert on religious minorities, among prominent Parsis is the Pakistani ambassador to the United Nations, Jamsheed Markar (16 Dec. 1992).
Zoroastrianism originated in what is now Iran and is one of the most ancient living religions, pre-dating Islam (The New Encyclopedia Britannica 1989, 1142). Zoroastrianism is based on monotheism (a supreme god "Mazda") and dualism (twin sons of Mazda, one a good spirit and one an evil spirit) (The Encyclopedia of Religion 1987, 581). The professor at the Carnegie Endowment states that the Parsi community in Pakistan adheres to the Zoroastrian religion, possibly with some small modifications (16 Dec. 1992).
There have been reports of religious minorities being subjected to employment and education discrimination in Pakistan (Country Reports 1991 1992, 1564). Documentation specific to whether the Parsis have been affected in this way is currently unavailable to the DIRB. Both professors cited above say that they are unaware of any incidents of discrimination or harassment towards the Parsi community (16 Dec. 1992).
Country Reports 1991 also indicates that minority religious groups are concerned about possible discrimination against them because of the passing of the Shari'a bill in May 1991 (1992, 1563). This law is aimed at "bringing all aspects of government and society in Pakistan into conformity with [the government's] views on the tenets of Islam" (Ibid., 1563). The final version of the bill, however, reportedly ensures that minority rights protected under the Constitution would not be affected. (Ibid., 1563; Asiaweek 5 June 1992, 28). Under the Constitution, Parsi voters can only vote for Parsi candidates, and there is one seat reserved for a Parsi in the General Assembly (AHRC Newsletter Dec. 1991, 7).
Although the Parsis are not mentioned specifically, Christian and other minority groups are reportedly concerned by a new law requiring Pakistanis to list their religion on national identity cards, but Islamic officials claim that the law is aimed at a group called the "Ahmadis" (UPI 9 Nov. 1992). The professor at the Carnegie Endowment claims that the Parsis are identifiable by their names, regardless of the identity cards (16 Dec. 1992). This professor states further, however, that the Parsi community is not subjected to the kinds of discrimination that other religious minority groups are subject to in Pakistan; for example, Parsis are permitted to buy and imbibe liquor for religious and recreational reasons.
Additional information on the above subject is currently unavailable to the DIRB. However, for your interest please find attached two general articles on Zoroastrianism.
References
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) Newsletter. December 1991. Shanzay Sadiq. "Christians Protest Discrimination, Victimisation" pp. 5-7.
Asiaweek [Hong Kong]. 5 June 1992. "Politics: Push and Pull over Shariah" p.28.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1991. 1992. U.S. Department of State. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office.
Professor at the Carnegie Endowment, Washington, DC. 16 December 1992. Telephone Interview.
Professor of Political Science, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 16 December 1992. Telephone Interview.
The Encyclopedia of Religion. 1987. Vol. 15. Mircea Eliade, ed. New York: MacMillan Publishing Company.
The New Encyclopedia Britannica. 1989. Micropaedia. 15th ed. Vol. 29. Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica Inc.
United Press International (UPI). [Islamabad]. 9 November 1992. Anwar Iqbal. "Pakistani Christians Protest New Religion Law." (NEXIS)
Attachments
The Encyclopedia of Religion. 1987. Vol. 15. Mircea Eliade, ed. New York: MacMillan Publishing Company.
The New Encyclopedia Britannica. 1989. Micropaedia. 15th ed. Vol. 29. Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica Inc.
